FIFA’s decision to ban players from wearing the One Love armband, designed to represent gender identity and pride, at the 2023 Women’s World Cup is not a surprise to Matildas star Sam Kerr, who vowed to not “put the team at risk” by defying the ruling.
FIFA unveiled on Friday a range of armbands approved to be worn by captains throughout the tournament, all of which incorporate the theme of ‘Football Unites the World’ , purportedly representing social issues, including peace, gender equity, education, Indigenous peoples, and violence against women.
The rainbow armbands launched to support the rights of LGBTQ+ communities were controversially banned during the Men’s World Cup in Qatar last year, due to Qatar’s policies and attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community.
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FIFA has confirmed the sanctions imposed on teams who choose to breach the ruling will remain in place for the Women’s World Cup, with match officials and referees compelled to show a yellow card to players who protest the governing body’s decision.
The Matildas captain, who is in a relationship with United States midfielder Kristie Mewis, says the team expected FIFA’s decision to remain the same from the Men’s World Cup, despite players across the tournament saying they “would love to wear” the ‘One Love’ armband in support of the players and fans who are apart of the LGBTQ+ community.
“I didn’t expect them to change it,” Kerr said.
“But I think you saw at the men’s World Cup, Harry Kane, for example – first game, if he had worn it, yellow card. If he got a yellow card in the game, he would have been sent off. For me, it’s not worth the risk of putting the team at risk, putting the tournament at risk, putting everything at risk.
“There will be multiple opportunities where we get to use our voice like we did in that game. There’ll be multiple opportunities where I get to use my voice for things. We would have liked to have worn it, but I’m not going to put this team at risk. We have to abide by the rules we’ve been given.”
Football Australia released a statement welcoming FIFA’s decision to acknowledge and represent the Indigenous community on an armband for the World Cup, with the governing body awarding a rest day to all teams in respect of World Indigenous People’s Day on August 9.
However, Football Australia’s statement noted the exclusion of an approved armband that represented the LGBTQ+ community, with former Matildas striker and Professional Footballers Australia co-chief executive Kathryn Gill accusing FIFA of hypocrisy.
Gill, who played 86 games in the green and gold jersey, claims the sport’s governing body is restricting the ability of players to express their beliefs and opinions on a global stage, despite the Matildas remaining at the forefront of the pursuit of gender equality within the sport.
Matildas to ’embrace the moment’
“The Matildas players have been at the forefront of the pursuit of gender equality, LGBTI+ inclusion and ensuring that sport is a genuine force for good,” said Gill.
“In authentically raising their voices they have been powerful allies for many. FIFA are now attempting to define for these same players, and their peers around the world, the limits of their freedom of expression regarding human rights, whilst at the same time stating that football unites the world and can shine a spotlight on important causes.
“Any player that uses their platform to express their support for human rights will continue to have the full support of the PFA.
“Good allyship requires courage to stand up for those who are having their rights undermined. Being an apologist for those who are unwilling to respect human rights is the exact opposite.”
The Matildas kick off their World Cup campaign against the Republic of Ireland at Accor Stadium on July 20.
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